Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021
1261. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Rural and Community Development if she will issue a circular to all local authorities advising them to make public in a standardised manner all information relating to dog breeding establishments including particular information (details supplied). [52530/21]
View answerMy Department has overall policy responsibility for the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010. The Act provides a robust regulatory framework for, inter alia, the licensing, monitoring and inspection of dog breeding establishments by local authorities and, where a serious and immediate threat exists to public health or animal health and welfare, for the closure of such establishments.
The day to day regulation of dog breeding establishments to ensure compliance with the Act is a matter for local authorities. It is the responsibility of each local authority to maintain the register of dog breeding establishments in its functional area. The Act also places an obligation on any person seeking to operate a dog breeding establishment to have the premises included on the register.
The Act references the details which must be entered onto the register. It also states that the local authority shall publish in such manner as it thinks fit, and make available for inspection at all reasonable times by members of the public, the register maintained by it.
Following a review, my Department is currently developing necessary legislative amendments to the Dog Breeding Establishments Act 2010, with a view to inclusion in the 2022 Government legislative programme. The points raised by the Deputy will be considered as part of that process.
